Fees that pharmacists charge to prescribe patients birth control are now covered by provincial Medicare. The province is also covering fees pharmacists charge to assess and treat people for shingles.

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said “Our model for primary health care is outdated and leaves too many New Brunswickers without access. Expanding the role of pharmacists and other health-care providers will have a big impact on evolving our system to one that, no matter where someone enters the system, they are able to access the care they need.”

The government has been taking action to ensure that health-care professionals practise to the full extent of their skills and education. The goal is to reduce wait times, increase access to primary care, and lessen the pressure on other service providers in the health-care system. Increasing access to primary health care is a key action item under the government’s health plan, which was released last fall.

Patients will still be responsible for the usual pharmacy dispensing fees and the cost of prescribed medications, as well as any fees for injections.